Air India flight suffers tail-strike on Delhi-Bengaluru flight, aircraft grounded

21 May,2026 07:12 PM IST |  Bengaluru  |  mid-day online correspondent

The incident involved flight AI2651, which was arriving in Bengaluru when the rear part of the aircraft reportedly touched the runway during landing. A tail-strike occurs when the tail of an aircraft makes contact with the ground during take-off or landing

The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew disembarked without any injury. Representational Pic/File


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An Air India flight from Delhi to Bengaluru experienced a tail-strike during landing on Thursday, the airline said, reported the ANI.

The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew disembarked without any injury.

The incident involved flight AI2651, which was arriving in Bengaluru when the rear part of the aircraft reportedly touched the runway during landing. A tail-strike occurs when the tail of an aircraft makes contact with the ground during take-off or landing.

Following the landing, Air India cancelled the return flight AI2652 from Bengaluru to Delhi as a precautionary measure.

The airline said alternative arrangements were being made for affected passengers, according to the ANI.

Aircraft grounded for inspection

The aircraft has been grounded for detailed technical inspection.

Air India said the incident will be investigated in line with standard safety procedures and in coordination with aviation regulators.

Ground staff in Bengaluru have been deployed to assist passengers affected by the cancellation.

Safety remains top priority: Air India

In a statement, the airline said that the safety of passengers and crew remains its highest priority. It also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused due to the disruption.

Further details are expected after the completion of the investigation.

Saw AI-171 pilot's body in seated position, claim victim's relative

A man who lost three family members in the AI-171 crash in June last year has claimed that he saw the body of the flight's captain inside the mortuary in Ahmedabad in a seated position with his hands still gripping the plane's controls, reported the PTI.

The claims of Romin Vohra, a resident of Kheda district in Gujarat, have surfaced amid continuing discussions over the circumstances leading to the crash and the actions taken in the cockpit during the final moments of the flight.

Latching on to his claims, an official of a US-based law firm, claiming to be representing families of more than 100 victims, said the crash must be examined by "truly independent experts" before blaming a "single person" for the tragedy.

"The families deserve the truth, not a quick conclusion that protects powerful companies or institutions," the official said, according to the PTI.

(with ANI and PTI inputs)

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